4 Ways to Supercharge Your Career

Are you ready to put your career on the fast track? There are many techniques and strategies people use to get better jobs, more pay, and more responsibility at work. Of course, not every tactic works for every person because there are just too many different career paths and personalities. But the following suggestions enjoy a wide range of success for a large number of careerists who want to improve their lifestyles and avoid stagnating in dead-end positions.

One method that can add a huge dose of efficiency to anyone's work life is networking. The key thing to remember, though, is that building a useful professional network takes time and know-how. Other essential components include obtaining a college degree in a relevant field of study, polishing off that outdated resume, and making a job change when necessary. Here are details about how to get started.

There's more to networking than saving the names and email addresses of people who might be able to help you find a dream job or keep your current one. Instead, be proactive and set out to collect at least 100 contacts within the first month of your effort. For each name on the list, note multiple contact methods like phone numbers, one or more email addresses, the person's position, the company they work for, and how you last interacted with them. No matter how large your list becomes, make it a point to regularly get in touch with everyone via chat, email, or social media. Names and contacts tend to age, so unless you refresh them with ongoing contact, your collection will shrink over time.

In today's digital society, getting a degree doesn't mean having to go away to college and interrupt life for four years. Modern options for earning a diploma include online and self-paced study. Still, you'll have to figure out a way to pay for the education, and that's where scholarships come into the picture. Prospective students can search for opportunities and do the entire application process online. There are Going Merry scholarships that can be used to cover some or all of the cost of a degree, whether you choose traditional or telecommuting forms of study. There's no need to let the cost of college stand in the way of advancing your professional options in the workplace.

Nothing kills a job search faster than an outdated resume. Fork over the modest fee to hire a professional writer who can update and upgrade this core document. Keep it a single page but be sure to get digital and hard copies for handing out to potential contacts and hiring agents. Never put references on your resume. Instead, include a phrase that indicates you'll be happy to provide the information upon request.

If there's no clear path to a rewarding long-term position within the company where you currently work, consider switching jobs. Every year, many career-minded adults pull the plug on their employers and seek greener pastures. Be careful about searching for a new position while still working. Tell interviewers that you don't want to risk becoming temporarily unemployed while seeking new work.